Riverside Elementary has provided a positive and goal setting learning environment for both of my childred. The principal consistantly encourages students to higher heights in their educational journey by promoting positive behavior with reward methods at the student, classroom and grade level. The halls of Riverside echo the charge "Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Ready to Learn!" I am thankful my children attend Riverside.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children have exceeded my expectations while attending Riverside Elementary. I directly credit the principals leadership and my children's teachers to the success we have experienced. They LOVE going to school. Riverside has taught them to set achievable yet challenging goals and the joy, reward and pride that comes after achieving them at the individual, class, grade and school wide levels. I couldn't be more pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

The 2012-2013 school year is our 4th year as a Riverside Elementary family and we couldn't be happier with the WONDERFUL education our children have received and are continuing to receive. One of my children is advanced and the teachers at Riverside have gone above & beyond to provide a more challenging workload and the attention needed. My other child is speech delayed, but has never been made to feel different because his teachers have taught tolerance & acceptance. Both of my children love their school and after volunteering in the classrooms I understand why! Riverside encourages parent involvement both in & out of the classroom. Someone mentioned too many fundraisers, but I for one like that we can chose which activities to participate in and still support the school. Our favorite teachers are Miss Angie (Pre-K) Mrs. Wanke (K) Mrs. Powell (1st) Mrs. Miller (2nd) Mrs. Cooper (2nd) & Mrs. Abner (3rd) & Mrs. Smart. We wouldn't send our kids anywhere else!
—Submitted by a parent

I recommend Mrs. Powell for all first grade students. She is very patient and strives for her students success. She is a wonderful teacher as well as her helper Mrs. Smart. She believes in practice makes perfect. We have our fingers crossed there are more teachers like her in the school. My child really shined through out the year with the help of Mrs. Powell and her assistant. There every example of what a teacher should be!
—Submitted by a parent

Poor leadership and teachers. Students can be bullied and verbally abused by teachers. I sent in a hidden recorder my daughter proved the point to the administration. Nothing was done to the teacher. The YMCA was no selected as the after school child care. It appears that the current company has shared ownership with educators and administrators in the system. Too many fundraisers throughout the year. They are poor in reading instruction. No phonics, primarily site words.
—Submitted by a parent

I felt that some children were belittled during the "K" graduation ceremony. Some of the children were identified for there appearance, or popularity instead of Academics Achievements through out the year. The children who had trouble with "K" in certain subjects were identified by there improvement , The "K" graduation ceremony needs to be done differently. I will not send my future "K" to River Side Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a special needs child I could not imagine a better school for my child to attend!! This is his 5th school year at Riverside and every year I am amazed at how much he has learned. The Pre-K and self-contained classroom staff are nothing less than exceptional! I have formed person and lasting relationships with many of them and it has really helped to keep an open line of communication about my child's needs.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of 1 former student and 2 current, I feel that Riverside is no longer what it used to be. I feel that the principal is not really much of a 'people' person as she should be and I have also experienced a lot of racial profiling within the school. Its nothing like it used to be when I went there many years ago. And its nothing like it used to be there since Mrs.Emily has been gone. I admit the new school is nice, and several of the teachers are awesome, but I believe it would be a lot better with a new principal.
—Submitted by a parent

My son came from Green Acres, and it was the best move we could have made. He never wanted to go to school until we moved and he started attending Riverside. I am very please with the education he is getting and the teacher support he has.
—Submitted by a parent

As a grandparent I feel my grandchildren have gotten an excellent education this year.

My son attended Riverside last year for first grade due to re-districting. He had previously attended Utica, and I was shocked at the differences that exist within one school system. My son is back at Utica this year, and he is now struggling to catch back up with his classmates. Overall I feel that because my son was an above average student, his education suffered at Riverside. If you compare the test score between the two schools, it is shocking.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best elementary school in the district, bar none!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children who began attending Riverside last year. We have found the teachers that they've had to be excellent. They are inclusive to all the kids, encouraging to them, and seem to have a positive attitude about their jobs. Yay! My children's participation in school activities has seemed to improve, they've made lots of new friends, and their grades are great. Keep up the good work, Riverside.
—Submitted by a parent

my son is a second grader this year and he couldn't wait to get back to riverside. the teachers he's had have been very helpful and have been really eager to teach him he loves it and so do i.
—Submitted by a parent

Riverside is a great school! Now that we are in the new building it is an awesome school! The new technology used in the classroom is state-of-the-art and my kids love it! I have been affiliated with Riverside for almost 5 years and I am a bit sad my child will be moving on to Jr. High. Most of the teachers are young, tech savvy and add a fresh new outlook to school. The parent involvement has always been welcomed and highly encouraged. I have volunteered in the classroom many times through the years and found it very rewarding. Riverside is a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended this school for 3 years. I will agree the teachers are good, but parental involvement is horrible. As a previous officer on the PTA (they refer to it as PAC), The parents always showed up for ball games, but anything academic or requesting volunteers for fundraising or anything else was fruitless. The parents just did not care. We left for a private school where parents care enough to be involved in their children's education.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school!!! The teachers and staff are awesome!! The New Building is great. My son's teacher is so good about letting us know where he needs to show improvement. There is great communication among teachers and parents. I am excited about the new school year coming up and excited to send my five year old to Kindergarten.
—Submitted by Stephanie, a parent

Definitely the best school my 3 year old could attend.The teachers are top notch and provide excellent and personalised feedback for every child.They help in the all round development of a child. Keep up the good work!
—Submitted by Ipshita Choudhury, a parent

As a previous student of this school, i beleive that it really taught me alot i needed to know for middle school.The teachers would always push their kids to the fullest and had different work for all the children that way they could all have a great education. This experience was great.
—Submitted by Ashley Spence, a former student